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''I'd like it to progress much faster,'' the Prime Minister told ABC radio on Monday.

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Already strained relations between the two nations have been dealt a further blow following new reports that Australia's Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) offered its US counterpart information on trade talks with Indonesia.

Secret documents released by former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden show that Australia's intelligence efforts against Indonesia involve a massive penetration of its phone networks and widespread data collection, and are not just targeting suspected terrorists or key political figures.

The documents, reported in The New York Times, have disclosed new details of how the Australian Signals Directorate offered its US counterpart surveillance of an American law firm representing Indonesia in trade disputes with the US.

The documents show the level of co-operation between the US National Security Agency and the Australian Signals Directorate, and for the first time reveal the Australian electronic espionage agency's comprehensive access to Indonesian's national communications systems.

The New York Times also reported that the Australia Signals Directorate specifically monitored communications between the Indonesian government and a US law firm that was representing Jakarta in trade disputes with the US.

He refused to be drawn on details of a leaked DSD memo suggesting the information was being used by commercial clients, saying it is being assumed by media as factual.

''I don't talk publicly about allegations of this nature ... except to say that Australia does need to have a strong intelligence operation,'' he said.

Mr Abbott also did not directly address whether the latest leaks have further damaged ties with Indonesia.

''If the media wants to talk constantly about this kind of thing inevitably it will dominate conversation,'' he said.

''My job is to try to get us talking about the strengths rather than the weaknesses.

''No intelligence that Australia gathers is ever used except to help our friends and neighbours.

''We don't collect intelligence for commercial purposes. We collect intelligence to save Australian lives, to save and the lives of other people, to promote Australian values, to promote the universal values of humanity and to help our friends and neighbours including Indonesia.''

The new spying revelations come as US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Indonesia for meetings with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa. But a spokesman for Indonesian Co-ordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs Djoko Suyanto said he was not concerned because the Indonesian government does not discuss secret information by phone.

Mr Abbott also played down Indonesian threats to raise their concerns over border protection with Mr Kerry, saying he was ''thrilled'' they would be holding talks.